Gel coat

James ingham · 15 September 2016, 12:22

Has anybody ever used any of this gel coat for brush application before?

http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/p-2299-gelcoat-filler-international-orange-inc-catalyst.aspx

Just wondered if it looks any good once applied, and does the original gel coat need sanding before putting it on? Any idea how much id need for a 6.4m

James

Nos4r2 · 15 September 2016, 12:28

That's gelcoat filler, not gelcoat.

James ingham · 15 September 2016, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

That's gelcoat filler, not gelcoat.

Can you get gel coat to brush on?

James ingham · 15 September 2016, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

That's gelcoat filler, not gelcoat.

Or i guess i just got to repaint it? In the process of stripping the anti foul from the hull and the original orange is a bit scratched from where the previous owner sanded it down before applying the anti foul just want to get it back to how it was with that nice glossy finish

Nos4r2 · 15 September 2016, 15:59

How scratched? Re-gelcoating it would hide sanding/scratches. Look for flowcoat, not gelcoat. Gelcoat doesn't cure in contact with air.

James ingham · 15 September 2016, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

How scratched? Re-gelcoating it would hide sanding/scratches. Look for flowcoat, not gelcoat. Gelcoat doesn't cure in contact with air.

Just had a light sand by hand i think, until i reveal more cant quite tell

James ingham · 15 September 2016, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

How scratched? Re-gelcoating it would hide sanding/scratches. Look for flowcoat, not gelcoat. Gelcoat doesn't cure in contact with air.

Is flowcoat something you can apply by brushing on? What sort of preperation is involved before applying it?

Nos4r2 · 15 September 2016, 16:41

Some reading for you first so you know what you're looking at:-

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/flowcoat...ion-53690.html

For prep before applying flowcoat, it'll need degreasing thoroughly and keying again. How you put it on is up to you, but my efforts using a brush have convinced me that other people's suggestion of using a gloss roller is going to be far better.

DO NOT mix up a lot of flowcoat at a time, it's a 2 part material and it heats up when curing and can start to smoke/pop in the mixing bucket. It doesn't take long to cure either.

Probably best to spend a while searching the archives as there's loads of useful tips there.

jeffstevens763@g · 15 September 2016, 19:37

Look on east coast videos ( boat wheel house) tell you about brushing gel coat finish and cure finishing with flow coat

ShinyShoe · 15 September 2016, 19:57

I'd be very very doubtful that someone who has no gel / flow experience can replicate the original polished finish...

paintman · 15 September 2016, 20:26

Just how badly scratched is it?
If it's just minor scuffing to provide a key for the anti-foul system you'll probably get a decent result using a power polisher with a hard mop & a cutting compound - e.g Farecla G3 or similar. You could consider using fine abrasive pads to refine the surface before polishing - 1000, 1500, 2000 or 3000 grit are available - & I'd advise using a DA sander if you want to go that route.
If it's really badly scratched or other repaired areas become visible as you remove the antifoul then you might want to consider just re-antifouling it as anything else is likely to be a lot of work & as the area you'll be working on is going to be underwater in use is it really worth the time & effort?

jeffstevens763@g · 15 September 2016, 21:00

It all depends on what your doing give east coast a ring very helpful tell them what you want to achieve then you will know what's the best finish you can get.

James ingham · 16 September 2016, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Some reading for you first so you know what you're looking at:-

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/flowcoat...ion-53690.html

For prep before applying flowcoat, it'll need degreasing thoroughly and keying again. How you put it on is up to you, but my efforts using a brush have convinced me that other people's suggestion of using a gloss roller is going to be far better.

DO NOT mix up a lot of flowcoat at a time, it's a 2 part material and it heats up when curing and can start to smoke/pop in the mixing bucket. It doesn't take long to cure either.

Probably best to spend a while searching the archives as there's loads of useful tips there.

Will have a read, thanks for the info

James ingham · 16 September 2016, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintman

Just how badly scratched is it?
If it's just minor scuffing to provide a key for the anti-foul system you'll probably get a decent result using a power polisher with a hard mop & a cutting compound - e.g Farecla G3 or similar. You could consider using fine abrasive pads to refine the surface before polishing - 1000, 1500, 2000 or 3000 grit are available - & I'd advise using a DA sander if you want to go that route.
If it's really badly scratched or other repaired areas become visible as you remove the antifoul then you might want to consider just re-antifouling it as anything else is likely to be a lot of work & as the area you'll be working on is going to be underwater in use is it really worth the time & effort?

Until i reveal more cant exactly tell, it looks dull rather than nice and glossy and shiny, will certainly give the machine polishing a go before going down the gel or flow coat route i think